RE: How long to safely leave loaded
 

I believe in unloading each day after the hunt. A quick run-thru with a dry patch and then call it good. I have left one loaded for a few days in the past, only to miss a chance at a late season doe due to wet powder. Temperature changes will cause condensation, which will affect performance even if the gun still fires. After hunting on especially humid or rainy days, I consider it a must to discharge the gun. It is better to be sure the gun will fire than to take a chance in my opinion.

RE: How long to safely leave loaded
 

I have left mine loaded for a week if the weather is dry,with no problem firing. In wet weather I fire and clean each day. Zeak

RE: How long to safely leave loaded
 

I load mine opening morning but if I don,t fire it that day I will use it one more day then fire it and start fresh.

RE: How long to safely leave loaded
 

i have a stainless traditions sidelock w/#11 cap and leave it loaded all the time (without primer) in my closet. i live by myself so don' t have to worry about someone messing with it. i take it hunting several times throughout the season; from the closet to the truck to the field so it has constant tempature changes.

the only time i clean is after i shoot. been doing it for years and have NEVER had a misfire and don' t have any rust to speak of either. two years ago i loaded it in october, didn' t end up shooting anything all season ... the following year opening day of blackpowder i shot a doe.

RE: How long to safely leave loaded
 

After reading all of these responses and weighing it with my own experiences I believe that if you can moderate the temperature and humidity, even in extremes, you will be fine leaving your weapon loaded all season. Here' s why I feel this way. In 15 black poweder seasons I have left my gun loaded for 3 or more days at least 2 times,...left it loaded for 4 days or more at least 4 times,......left it loaded for more than 7 days at least 4 times,... and have left it loaded for 7 MONTHS 1 time only. In each and every case the gun fired and printed in its normal point of impact.
I believe that the procedure of clean loading and care of the weapon is the key. During the season, wheather I' ve hunted in the rain or not, the gun is wiped down with a clean dry cloth, unprimed ( remove the cap or primer) and set in the corner of a dry out-building. NEVER EVER brought into the residence where it is heated. It is left in an environment with the same temp and humidity of the day' s hunt.
I belive it is ABRUPT changes of temp and humidity that cause the problems.....and faulty loading from the start can also be the culprit.
If one begins with a clean, dry, nipple-picked and spotless weapon..... then I think you will be fine unless you carted your gun around in a monsoon with the barrell pointing up.